I’ve seen a lot of discussion on this and have been trying to understand the idea of creating culture.  I hope to write some blog posts in the future on this topic.

But WE ALL nee to understand this.  It’s important.

Without out getting into much theology, God created mankind.  The response of God’s creation at the root level is divided into 2 simple categories.  Creation either blesses or curses God as creator.  Every man and woman has responded in accepting and embracing God as Creator and choose to love him, or reject him as Creator and his authority in their lives.

This is important to understand, because each of us have a hand in “creating” culture around us.  In our families, jobs, churches, neighborhoods…you name it.  Most of us may not have a position of authority to be the ultimate say in these culture environments, but we are all contributors, producers and creators in the culture around us.  

Just like the image of God and his creation of mankind, we will get a response.  Sometimes there will be blessing, sometimes there will be curses.

I was thinking of this recently and here are just two examples of how this could unfold. 

If a leader in the workplace creates a culture focused more on production and survival of the fittest, the culture will eventually curse the leader when they become the weak link.  No one is at their best everyday.  In contrast, if a leader in the workplace creates a culture of growth, learning, trust, with space to make mistakes;  on the days the leader is in need, the leader will be blessed by the culture they have created.

If parents create a culture of of not listening to their younger children because other things are more important than the simple things at a young age, then the family culture will be cursed later when there is a need for communication and understanding when the kids are older.  If parents create a culture from the beginning that children are heard and valued this will be a blessing for the entire family.

Granted, part of any healthy culture that blesses includes discernment and self-control so no one is disrespected.  Maturity in the culture of the family, workplace, church, community etc…must be created and cultivated and not just expected or demanded on a one way street.

It is important for all of us to realize our presence and influence is part of creating and cultivating a healthy culture among the people we share life with everyday.  Because of our influence on the personal culture we are a part of, we have to think about, dream about and take steps toward creating what is healthy and what brings blessing for everyone who is a part.

What we create will respond to us at some point.  What will the culture you create say about you?  How will the culture you create treat you?

Questions for you…

• What is the culture like in your home, job, church etc…?
• How does your presence contribute to this culture?
• What is your dream for your family, workplace, church, community etc…and the way you treat each other?

(via Pleated Jeans on Facebook)

I love the brutal honesty  in this picture.  There is something all of us don’t want to admit to, lurking inside us.  It can be something as simple as weakness in basic arithmetic or something far more personal from a painful or sinful past.

We all have some sort of honesty repellant.  That thing that keeps us from being completely honest.

Embarrassment.  Shame.  Hurt.  Fear.  Broken trust.  Burned one too many times.

There is something within us, or sometimes in someone else, that keeps us from completely letting our guard down.  Letting our guard down is something we all wish we could do.

I think even the most habitual and serial liars, at some point in their lives, wanted desperately to be honest.  But unfortunately they were so disappointed with the truth, a lie became the only escape from what was so brutal.

Honesty is hard.  Sometimes I don’t like it.  

But there’s something about honesty that makes it one of the best gifts to give.

…And receive.

I know the times I’ve been most disappointed by others was not when they failed, but when they lied to me about their failure.  As much as I’ve wanted to throw stones at their integrity, maybe I need to investigate my own heart.  Am I an “honestly repellant” for others?  I want the truth.  It is a great gift to receive from someone else.  Sometimes the biggest obstacle to getting what we want is simply our attitude towards the ones at whom we’ve aimed our expectations.

So what do we do about this?  How do we help each other discover complete honesty?  

I’m a child of the 80’s.  There is much to love about that decade.  Bright colors.  The A-Team.  Really big hair.  Molly Ringwald.  It was one of the best decades for movies and music.

I remember excitement turned to sorrow when Space Shuttle Challenger was lost.  I look back on summer days in Alabama with mornings playing baseball and afternoons dodging heat and humidity by watching MTV.

More serious memories include signs where nearby ‘Fallout Shelters” could be found.  As 80’s kids we were familiar with images of parades of missiles and marching soldiers through Red Square in Moscow.  The older kids taught us to “hate” the “Russians.”  Adults taught us to fear them because their primary goal was to kill all Americans.  I was trained in hatred towards people I had never met, and couldn’t find on a globe.  The geopolitical climate was more than my elementary mind could understand.

History happened.  The Soviet Union dissolved and a group of nations returned to their roots or started over.  The the place known as “Russia” became the mission fields in Eastern Europe.  I never knew how much this would change my life, personally. Continue Reading…

Watch the following video.  It’s cool, but also has an important lesson.

There is a very simple explanation why the helicopter’s rotors do not appear to be moving.   Continue Reading…